"Now in my mind, I know who can compete for us at the SEA Games... I know 90 per cent of the squad."

Having watched regional rivals Malaysia and Thailand in action, the 66-year-old, who coached Rwanda to the Under-17 World Cup in 2011, is confident that a full-strength Singapore side could match the two teams.

Thailand have won the football gold at 10 of the past 12 editions of the SEA Games, with Malaysia's triumphs in 2009 and 2011 the only blips in the War Elephants' remarkable record.